Best & Top Rated Clubs in Arlington: The 2025 Nightlife Guide

TL;DR:

There are two Arlingtons with scenes worth a night out.
Arlington, VA clusters clubs near Clarendon, Ballston, and Crystal City.
Arlington, TX centers on Texas Live!, Studio 80, and Cidercade late nights.
Check Instagram day-of for cover, lines, and themes.
Use rideshare. Parking near hot spots fills fast.

There are two major Arlingtons. One is across the river from Washington, D.C., in Virginia. The other sits between Dallas and Fort Worth, in Texas. Both have solid nightlife, but the vibe and venues differ. This guide covers top picks in both cities, so you can lock the right plan for your crew.

How we picked the list

We looked for clubs and late-night venues with strong recent reviews, current event calendars, and a reliable crowd. We verified details with official tourism sites and venue pages, then cross-checked with user ratings. We also favored spots near transit or rideshare hubs for easier hops.

Arlington, Virginia: Club hubs near Clarendon and Ballston

Clarendon Ballroom

A multi-level landmark with a rooftop, event nights, and room to move. The space hosts dance parties, private events, and seasonal themes. It is a go-to in Clarendon for larger groups that want a classic “night out” feel. Follow social posts for event nights and cover.

Best for: Mixed groups, birthdays, open-format dance nights.
Vibe: Dressy casual. Rooftop when the weather is good.

Darna Restaurant & Lounge

Mediterranean lounge energy with bottle service and DJs. Expect a dressed crowd, hookah options, and late peaks. Reservations help on weekends.

Best for: DJ-driven nights, groups that want tables.
Vibe: Upscale lounge, polished fits.

The Renegade

Live bands early, DJ sets late. Good for groups that like a stage, a bite, then a dance floor. Check the calendar for themed parties and covers.

Best for: Live-to-DJ nights, mixed ages, casual dance.
Vibe: Rock-and-roll bar that flips to club mode.

Ireland’s Four Courts and Crystal City Sports Pub

These are not clubs, but they are perfect pregame choices in Arlington with big game energy, supporters’ groups, and an easy springboard to Clarendon or D.C. venues.

Best for: Match days, group meetups.
Vibe: Lively pub before you dance elsewhere.

Neighborhood note: Clarendon and Ballston skew young and busy. Lines spike after 11 p.m. Start earlier or buy tickets when offered.

Arlington, Texas: Party zones near AT&T Stadium and Globe Life Field

Texas Live! entertainment district

A packed complex of venues next to the stadiums, with DJ nights, bull riding at PBR Texas, and a rotating concert series at Arlington Backyard. Saturday schedules often include EDM in The Drop. Expect event nights around big games and holidays.

Best for: One-stop night with multiple vibes, pre and post game parties.
Vibe: Sporty, high energy, festival feel on big nights.

Studio 80

A beloved 80s dance club for pure throwback fun, with theme nights and three rooms. Fridays are a safe bet for a packed floor. It sits a short rideshare from central Arlington and pulls a broad DFW crowd.

Best for: 80s hits, singalongs, dress-up theme nights.
Vibe: Nostalgic, friendly, easy to meet people.

Club Ritzy

Upscale, grown-and-sexy format with live acts, VIP sections, and bottle service. Check hours and events before you go. A stylish option for groups that want to dress up and book a section.

Best for: Celebrations, tables, R&B-forward nights.
Vibe: Polished, reservations recommended.

Cidercade Arlington

Arcade bar that flips to 18+ after 9 p.m., with 275+ games and a full bar. It is a playful pre- or post-club stop near the stadiums, and a good call for mixed groups.

Best for: Warm-up hangs before Texas Live!, low-stress fun.
Vibe: Casual, sneakers welcome.

Quick picks by vibe

City	Venue	Typical music	Crowd	Why go
VA	Clarendon Ballroom	Open-format, throwbacks	20s to 30s	Big space, rooftop, easy meetups.
VA	Darna Lounge	Hip hop, dance, Middle Eastern	Dressy	Lounge look with tables and effects.
VA	The Renegade	Bands then DJs	Mixed	Eat, watch, then dance in one spot.
TX	Texas Live!	Open-format, EDM nights	Mixed	Many venues, stadium energy.
TX	Studio 80	80s and theme nights	Mixed, friendly	Pure dance floor nostalgia.
TX	Club Ritzy	R&B, live sets	25+	Sections, bottle service.
TX	Cidercade	DJ playlists, arcade SFX	Mixed	275+ games, budget-friendly start.

When to go and how to move

Best nights. Thursdays start strong in both cities. Fridays fill early near Clarendon in VA and at Texas Live! in TX. Saturdays are peak everywhere. Holiday Sundays draw day parties and late closings. Check venue calendars and stories the morning of your plan.

Transport. Rideshare is the move. Clarendon and Ballston get busy after 10 p.m. In Texas, the Entertainment District can gridlock around games and concerts, so plan pickup spots away from stadium gates.

Dress codes. VA lounges like Darna skew dressy. Texas Live! is casual but bars like PBR Texas may enforce simple rules such as no athletic wear on some nights. When in doubt, smart casual works in both cities.

Pro tips to skip stress

Follow venues on Instagram for day-of cover and guest lists.
Buy presale or arrive by 10:30 p.m. for shorter lines.
Anchor your night in one district to avoid long rides.
Hydrate, rotate, and eat something before the peak.
Have a plan B two blocks away.

Sample routes

Arlington, VA (Clarendon crawl)
Start at Clarendon Ballroom for views, swing by The Renegade for live-to-DJ, then finish at Darna for late lounge sets. All three are in easy rideshare range.

Arlington, TX (Entertainment District loop)
Warm up at Cidercade, walk or quick ride to Texas Live! for the main event, then cap with Studio 80 for pure dancing. Book your ride before last call.

Mini checklist

Pick your Arlington, then your district.
Check the venue’s feed at noon for theme, cover, and lines.
Dress one notch up from casual.
Reserve a table if it is a celebration night.
Save a rideshare pickup spot away from the main entrance.

Why it matters

Both Arlingtons reward smart planning. Pick a district, match your vibe, and you will spend your time on the dance floor, not in a line. With current options from rooftop ballrooms to 80s throwbacks and stadium mega-complexes, there is a fit for any group and any budget.

Sources:

StayArlington (VA tourism), “Discover Arlington After Dark: For Nibbles and Nightlife,” https://www.stayarlington.com/blog/discover-arlington-after-dark-for-nibbles-and-nightlife/ , accessed 2025-10-07.
Clarendon Ballroom, “Events Venue in Arlington, VA,” https://www.clarendonballroomva.com/ , accessed 2025-10-07.
Darna Lounge, “Premier Nightclub & Lounge,” https://www.darnava.com/ , accessed 2025-10-07.
The Renegade, “About The Renegade VA,” https://renegadeva.com/ , accessed 2025-10-07.
Arlington, TX Convention & Visitors Bureau, “Arlington Nightlife,” https://www.arlington.org/things-to-do/arlington-nightlife/ , accessed 2025-10-07.
Texas Live!, “Eat + Drink and Events,” https://texas-live.com/eat-and-drink , accessed 2025-10-07.
Studio 80, “DFW’s Only 80s Nightclub,” https://www.clubstudio80.com/ , accessed 2025-10-07.
Club Ritzy, “Your Upscale Nightclub,” https://ritzy1201.com/ , accessed 2025-10-07.